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Poison the Well
The Opposite of December


5.0
classic

Review

by korn_field USER (3 Reviews)
January 14th, 2005 | 739 replies


Release Date: 1999 | Tracklist


Poison The Well Opposite Of December'A Season Of Separation CD Review

Key Tracks:
12/23/93
Slice Paper Wrists
Mid Air Love Message
My Mirror No Longer Reflects

I am reviewing the infamous Opposite Of December album. This album has been said to break new ground in the hardcore/emo genre of music. After your first listen to it, you will realize why this has been said. This album was released in 1999 by Trustkill records. When listening to Poison the Well's first album Distance Makes The Heart Grow Finder, then comparing this album to it, it is almost no contest. The songwriting, and structuring of each song has matured so quickly with this band. These guys know how to write good songs. Period.

When I first bought the album awhile back, I had already heard most of the songs on the album, but there were still the few that I hadn't heard yet. Once the packaging was off, and the CD was in my player, I listened to it cover to cover. My jaw dropped at the opening drum fill of 12/23/93. Just the amount of intensity that I knew was following that fill is what hooked me. And surely, I was right. Jeff's voice screams out pain and suffering throughout the whole track, and throughout the whole album. The drumming is incredibly tight, and precise, and the guitar work is thick and has an overall brutal attack. Although sometimes the same palm muted that is evident in almost every track gets kind of repetitive, that is the last thing on my mind when listening to this album. Just the way these guys can go from back breaking-heaviness, to sweet, alluring melodies is beyond me. It is shown on almost every track. The pain and suffering of broken promises, and broken hearts can be heard throughout this whole album. Anyone can relate to everything Jeff sings about, that's one of the main reasons I love this band so much.

Now this album does have its sweet side. The song Nerdy is an anthem for those who want to be more than friends with that special someone, yet never really able to tell them how you feel. This track is the sweeter moment on the CD, whereas, instead of pain and suffering in Jeff's voice, there is hope and enlightenment. Even though hope replaces pain and suffering on this song, his voice is no less strong, and either is the music. It is just as strong and powerful as the other eight tracks on the CD.

For a group of guys that meant no more than to create the most emotional and dynamic music they could, Poison the Well has created one of the most groundbreaking albums in this genre. They had set their goals for doing nothing more but making the music they love, and the outcome was nine tracks of pure emotion. If there is one band that you have yet to check out, Poison the Well is it. They are my favorite band solely because they have yet to disappoint me, and this album is no different. This is the soundtrack to the broken hearted, the ones who have lost hope, the ones that can't sleep at night, and those that can only hope for a better tomorrow. The album end's with Jeff screaming 'end me' (My Mirror No Longer Reflects) over one of the most emotion guitar pieces/outros, I feel, that has ever been written. This bands music and lyrics show that they have been through every bit of sadness a world can throw at them. Luckily for all of us, they aren't afraid to show it. I give this album 5 of 5 stars.

-Mike


user ratings (1195)
4.2
excellent
other reviews of this album
LifeInABox (4.5)
The best metalcore record ever? You decide....

Confessed2005 (5)
An almost flawless, genre defining album. Poison the Well's full length debut helped to pioneer the ...

ConsiderPhlebas (5)
I just want to feel this way forever....



Comments:Add a Comment 
ODWO
February 17th 2004


4 Comments


Great review..PTW is one of my favorites, this album is influential, although not many realize it. It's been jacked from so many times.

cbmartinez
June 1st 2004


2525 Comments


This is a great album, but I think I like YCBY a little bit better, more melody. But My Mirror No Longer Reflects is my favorite PTW song. The guitar outro, so amazing.

screamo_rocks_101
June 21st 2004


88 Comments


good review, and a good album, but i think i liked tear from the red a little better, i like his screaming better in it.

BuddyBigsby
June 21st 2004


531 Comments


Incredible album, great review. I think You Come Before You is their second masterpiece though, it shows the most maturity and originality.

stinger
June 22nd 2004


5 Comments


all four of their CDs are great in different ways, i really like one or 2 of their songs from dmthgf, i think torn is actually my fav song by them, and the new album is also amazing, and one of my favourite things about tear from the red is how it starts and ends on the same chord, i didnt notice that for a very long time, great band, great albums, love em

Badreligiondude
September 14th 2004


14 Comments


http://www.musicianforums.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=11694&stc=1


POISON THE WELL - Opposite of December


"The Opposite Of December" is said to be one of the most influential cd's on metalcore/emocore. This cd has an untouchable style, and from the date this cd was released many bands have been influenced and tried to play somewhat accordingly to PTW's style. This album was a 1999 release and by the beautiful artwork the customer's attention has been drawn even more to the cd. Those and other little things drive the cd to be one of the best cd's in it's genre. Now, its time to talk about the sound and the music these guys created in this cd. Absolutely Amazing! THis cd consists of many breakdowns as most metalcore cd's would....but the thing is, is that this cd makes all that old same old metalcore sound more interesting. Poison the well kick it right up a notch. So much talent and effort has been put into this cd and it shows too. The songs are beautiful and unique in their own way. Going from Heavy parts to soft parts within a matter of minutes, Poison The Well definitly show their true potential in this cd. This Cd is given 110%. Yes, thats how good it is. You can focus in on the true screaming vocals and the loud heavy guitar riffs and drums and almost feel it rushing through your whole body. You get chills up and down ur spine and say "**** these guys are ****in insane". This album is flawless. Pure metalcore and emotion or emocore at its best. The lyrics are something else as well. The lyrics are very well thought up off and are song very loud and awesome. The song names just blow your mind to with magnificent names. Example: my mirror no longer reflects, A Wish For Wings That Work". You are gonna never wanna take this out of your cd player if u are a true metalcore and hardcore fan that is. This is one of the best cd's in the whole world. SO much power and so much anger it seems, yet the lyrics are about emotion. Poison the well can make any hardcore band seem pathetic. They are an amazing band with some talented musicianship. With Screams and beautiful lyrics song in the background every so often in some songs makes this a cd like no other. This Cd easily deserves a ...........

5/5..... even better then this.... a 6/5.... it is truely amazing. This album is a very wise investment. I suggest and recommend this album to everybody. Buy this cd. It is worth every last penny. It will take some getting used to maybe but you will be happy you bought this. DOnt download it if ur not gona buy it because these guys don't deserve that. This Cd will change your life.


Similar Bands: A jealousy issue, blindside, Killswitch Engage.


Downsides about this album: none whatsoever

Wanker
September 14th 2004


139 Comments


wait, i dont get it

sr800bkBassist
September 14th 2004


115 Comments


read the rules first, idiot.

BuddyBigsby
September 14th 2004


531 Comments


1. You did the subject incorrectly

2. This review has been done

3. Your review is a gigantic block of words with no paragraphs

4. Those similar bands are nothing like PTW, and you are a moron

Bartender
September 14th 2004


826 Comments


What they said. Threads merged.

IsItLuck?
Emeritus
September 14th 2004


4958 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

[QUOTE=Badreligiondude]Similar Bands: A jealousy issue, blindside, Killswitch Engage.[/QUOTE]



Laughing my *** off.





BANISH HIM!

Nick13's The Best!!!
September 14th 2004


11 Comments


[QUOTE=Badreligiondude]http://www.musicianforums.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=11694&stc=1


POISON THE WELL - Opposite of December


"The Opposite Of December" is said to be one of the most influential cd's on metalcore/emocore. This cd has an untouchable style, and from the date this cd was released many bands have been influenced and tried to play somewhat accordingly to PTW's style. This album was a 1999 release and by the beautiful artwork the customer's attention has been drawn even more to the cd. Those and other little things drive the cd to be one of the best cd's in it's genre. Now, its time to talk about the sound and the music these guys created in this cd. Absolutely Amazing! THis cd consists of many breakdowns as most metalcore cd's would....but the thing is, is that this cd makes all that old same old metalcore sound more interesting. Poison the well kick it right up a notch. So much talent and effort has been put into this cd and it shows too. The songs are beautiful and unique in their own way. Going from Heavy parts to soft parts within a matter of minutes, Poison The Well definitly show their true potential in this cd. This Cd is given 110%. Yes, thats how good it is. You can focus in on the true screaming vocals and the loud heavy guitar riffs and drums and almost feel it rushing through your whole body. You get chills up and down ur spine and say "**** these guys are ****in insane". This album is flawless. Pure metalcore and emotion or emocore at its best. The lyrics are something else as well. The lyrics are very well thought up off and are song very loud and awesome. The song names just blow your mind to with magnificent names. Example: my mirror no longer reflects, A Wish For Wings That Work". You are gonna never wanna take this out of your cd player if u are a true metalcore and hardcore fan that is. This is one of the best cd's in the whole world. SO much power and so much anger it seems, yet the lyrics are about emotion. Poison the well can make any hardcore band seem pathetic. They are an amazing band with some talented musicianship. With Screams and beautiful lyrics song in the background every so often in some songs makes this a cd like no other. This Cd easily deserves a ...........

5/5..... even better then this.... a 6/5.... it is truely amazing. This album is a very wise investment. I suggest and recommend this album to everybody. Buy this cd. It is worth every last penny. It will take some getting used to maybe but you will be happy you bought this. DOnt download it if ur not gona buy it because these guys don't deserve that. This Cd will change your life.


Similar Bands: A jealousy issue, blindside, Killswitch Engage.


Downsides about this album: none whatsoever[/QUOTE]

..... ..... ..... WHAT WAS THAT??? GOOD LORD YOU ARE TOTALLY LIVING UNDER A ROCK, LEARN TO FORM PROPER SENTENCES AND PARAGRAPHS....jeez

but to the ORIGINAL reviewer good review i like this one almost as much as YCBY, great review.

Badreligiondude
September 15th 2004


14 Comments


Fuk All You Fagits! My Paragraph Is Great! Who Gives A Fuk If Theirs No Sentence Structure!!! This Isnt Fukin School! I Dont Give A Fuk If I Spelled A Few Things Wrong. I Dont Give A Shiht....... The Main Thing Is, Is That I Delivered The Point And Put My Word Out Their As To How Great This Cd Is! And Why Not Do The Same Cd Review Again? From This U Can State The Similarities And Differences.



If U Choose To Make Fun Of This.... Go Suck A Fat Dik.... Or Fuk Urselves! This Has Its Own Originality In This Case According To All My Errors.

Bartender
September 15th 2004


826 Comments


[QUOTE=Badreligiondude]And Why Not Do The Same Cd Review Again?
[/QUOTE]

Because the rules, which you blatantly failed to read, say not to. If you want to re-review or add comments about a CD, you post it in the original review.

BuddyBigsby
September 16th 2004


531 Comments


[QUOTE=Badreligiondude]Fuk All You Fagits! My Paragraph Is Great! Who Gives A Fuk If Theirs No Sentence Structure!!! This Isnt Fukin School! I Dont Give A Fuk If I Spelled A Few Things Wrong. I Dont Give A Shiht....... The Main Thing Is, Is That I Delivered The Point And Put My Word Out Their As To How Great This Cd Is! And Why Not Do The Same Cd Review Again? From This U Can State The Similarities And Differences.



If U Choose To Make Fun Of This.... Go Suck A Fat Dik.... Or Fuk Urselves! This Has Its Own Originality In This Case According To All My Errors.[/QUOTE]

Someone call Harvard, their Valedictorian escaped.

shane italian
September 16th 2004


25 Comments


[QUOTE=BuddyBigsby]Someone call Harvard, their Valedictorian escaped.[/QUOTE]And got hold of a Dell.

SiberianKiss
September 16th 2004


4 Comments


[QUOTE=BuddyBigsby]1. You did the subject incorrectly

2. This review has been done

3. Your review is a gigantic block of words with no paragraphs

4. Those similar bands are nothing like PTW, and you are a moron[/QUOTE]Could not have said it better myself! As for the review, well done! I don't quite agree with them being emocore, but I'm not going to start that debate yet again.

Cambodia
September 16th 2004


28 Comments


His username is 'badreligiondude', that alone tells you he's a douche.

Anyway, this is a great cd and Nerdy is my favorite track. The intro with the drums and then the guitar part is incredible. PTW's drummer never fails to impress.

cbmartinez
September 17th 2004


2525 Comments


Wow, to the orginal reviewer, that really was an excellent review. Bravo.

Badreligiondude
September 17th 2004


14 Comments


[QUOTE=Cambodia]His username is 'badreligiondude', that alone tells you he's a douche.

Anyway, this is a great cd and Nerdy is my favorite track. The intro with the drums and then the guitar part is incredible. PTW's drummer never fails to impress.[/QUOTE]

GO **** URSELF U FAG..... GO EAT UR VAGINA U LITTLE PUSS... OR GET MOMMY TO WIPE IT.... ONE OF THE TWO



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